The clothing retail industry is an easy target for internet giants Google, Amazon and eBay, all of whom are vying for growth in the global online apparel market. Just look at what happened to bookstores, says David Birnbaum.

Few corporate deals have met with such unanimous praise as Amazon’s recently announced acquisition of online footwear retailer Zappos for about US$900m. Richard Woodard looks at why the deal has been received so positively – and wonders if Amazon could learn a lesson or two from its new buy.

Few corporate deals have met with such unanimous praise as Amazon’s recently announced acquisition of online footwear retailer Zappos for about US$900m. Richard Woodard looks at why the deal has been received so positively – and wonders if Amazon could learn a lesson or two from its new buy.

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In the most recent third-quarter filings from US apparel and footwear brands and retailers, fashion retailer Guess moved to a loss as sales declined in the Americas, while PVH Corp exceeded company expectations, upping its full-year guidance. Destination Maternity, meanwhile, widened its losses.

The latest apparel initiative from online retail giant Amazon has embraced the "see now buy now" movement with an exclusive capsule collection available to buy straight from the catwalk – with one-hour delivery to customers in London.

E-commerce giant Amazon is looking at getting its drones to deliver from mobile docking stations on trains and ships, a move it believes will help solve some of the challenges of using drones as a delivery method.

Traditional apparel retailers are facing new competition from online subscription services that send customers boxes of handpicked fashion items to choose from or offer auto-replenishment of fashion basics.

Over 200,000 dresses were sold globally on Tuesday (11 July) via Amazon's Prime Day promotional shopping event, with overall sales growth up by more than 60% over last year according to the online retailer.

In the most recent first-quarter filings from US apparel and footwear brands and retailers, G-III Apparel moved to a loss on acquisition charges, while Guess saw earnings fall on soft Americas sales. Kate Spade, meanwhile, saw earnings slump on the back of sales declines, while Hudson's Bay recorded comparable store declines on the back of lower domestic store traffic across all banners.

Top stories this week on just-style include a look at the ten worst countries in the world for working people, Amazon's new "try before you buy, and only pay for what you keep" service, why H&M's new Arket concept is quite unlike anything previously seen from the retailer, and the US launches a review of the eligibility of Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda to continue to receive benefits under AGOA.

A new Amazon patent designed to intercept customers who attempt to make a price comparison on their mobile devices while in-store could be detrimental to retailers and will ultimately increase friction levels, an industry observer has said.

Swedish fast-fashion retailer H&M, Zara brand owner Inditex and sportswear giant Nike are not only among the world's leading brands, they also have some of the best supply chains too, according to a new review.

Top stories this week on just-style include a warning from Myanmar apparel makers that a ban on moving lorries through Yangon has placed a heavy logistical burden on the country's clothing sector, the latest efforts by Amazon to embed itself deeper into the apparel industry, 12 start-ups chosen under a new global initiative to find more sustainable ways of producing fashion, and Walmart eyeing US men's clothing retailer Bonobos.

The death of the department store, the exaggerated rise of Amazon as an apparel retailer power, and the threat of European fast-fashion specialists to US retail are among a number of misconceptions currently bedevilling the retail industry, a new report explains.

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Sports apparel retailer Nike's delay in committing to a solid sales partnership with online retail giant Amazon could possibly have seen it lose out on sales yesterday (11 July) as the e-retailer slashed prices on products at some rival brands as part of its annual Prime Day event.